Former England international Darren Bent has suggested that Stoke City keeper Jack Butland would be fortunate to get a move to West Ham after he was linked with the Premier League club.

The Potters stopper has endured a pretty horrific 18 months or so, which saw the Staffordshire outfit relegated to the Championship and struggle last season.

Butland's own form has been poor, with Nathan Jones dropping the 26-year-old on a few occasions earlier in the season.

And, speaking to Football Insider, Bent criticised the keeper for the way he has played for Stoke recently.

"He started the season awfully, making mistake after mistake after mistake and I’m telling you now that was because he wasn’t focused. He wasn’t fully focused on being at Stoke as he thought he would have been out of there before then, so his focus was elsewhere which led to mistake after mistake.

"A lot of the goals were his fault, look at where Stoke are in the league, they’re struggling."

Butland has kept just three clean sheets in 16 games this season but is sure to start in tonight's huge game at Middlesbrough.

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The verdict

These words may seem harsh from Bent but the reality is that he is spot on. Butland has made far too many mistakes for a long period now and it's just not good enough.

Of course, he had a good reputation and that's what would get him a move away but anybody who has seen him play this season would be reluctant to spend big on him.

Either way, a exit would suit all parties in January and you wouldn't be surprised to see Butland leave.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.